Activation of the Mnemonic Space

During the nineties a new browser interface known as the World Wide Web transformed the Internet from a non-public (mostly academic and military) medium, into a mass medium accessible to all. Today we may begin to look at this pivotal moment in digital culture again with the fresh eyes of historical distance. From a contemporary perspective the Internet is seen as one of the most important developments in the twentieth century and to understand our present time, it is essential to have knowledge about the Internet. As such the question rises how this form of digital heritage can be preserved for current and future generations.

The responsibility of the art museum would be to research, collect, preserve and present artworks, which contain a critical reflection on the Internet and its role in society. Although art museums are interested, it is remarkable that the artworks that are actually developed within this online environment are mainly being ignored. With the advent of digital technology knowledge is stored in a constant state of flux and is constantly re-shaped under the changing pressures and perspectives of the present. This dynamic mnemonic logic still challenges the museum. Their infrastructure differs and is incompatible with the aims of these artworks. The aim of this research is to explore further possibilities for an interactive memory space for Net.Art within the art museum.